What to Know About 7-OH, a Risky Kratom Byproduct Being Watched by Health Officials

What to Know About 7-OH, a Risky Kratom Byproduct Being Watched by Health Officials
Key Points
• Products like Feel Free have synthetic kratom chemicals like 7-OH, which act like painkillers and are not regulated by the government.

• People on social media say they feel bad when they stop using kratom products.

• The FDA is planning to put 7-OH into a category of drugs that are considered very dangerous.


Small blue bottles labeled "Feel Free" can be found in gas stations and convenience stores all over the country.
The drink is sold as a "plant-based herbal supplement" that helps improve mood, energy, and concentration. The ingredients that make these effects happen include kratom and its strong byproduct, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

This week, people on social media are raising concerns about the product, with some saying it is addictive and not good for health.
The label on Feel Free warns of these effects and tells users to only take half a bottle at a time and no more than one bottle per day. However, the ingredients in the product, including kratom and kava, are not controlled by the government, and online discussions show how easy it is for people to take more than the suggested amount.

Feel Free is one of many products like drinks, gummies, extracts, and others that include 7-OH.
These products are often marketed as "natural" wellness items, even though 7-OH is a semi-synthetic substance. A Reddit group called "Quitting Kratom" has over 50,000 members, many of whom share their stories about dealing with withdrawal symptoms after stopping the substance.

In July, top officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the rise of products containing 7-OH is a growing public health issue.
They also announced plans to control the compound more strictly.

What Is Kratom and How Is It Used?

Kratom is a plant from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is found in Southeast Asia.
In the United States, kratom is often sold as pills, powders, gummies, drinks, teas, and crushed leaves.

It's unclear how many Americans use kratom.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 0.6% of people aged 12 and older used kratom in 2021. However, the Global Kratom Coalition estimates that usage is about 9.1%.

A 2024 survey of kratom users found that most used it to feel better, to have more energy, and to stay focused for work or exercise.
Many also used it for treating anxiety and depression and for pain relief.

According to the FDA, there's no proof that kratom can be safely sold as a drug, supplement, or food.


The most common side effects are related to the stomach.
Some people report a faster heartbeat and seizures. In some cases, consuming too much kratom can lead to a coma or even death.

What Is 7-OH and Why Is It Dangerous?

Kratom leaves naturally contain hundreds, perhaps thousands, of different chemicals, says Oliver Grundmann, PhD, a professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.


Among these are psychoactive chemicals like mitragynine and 7-OH.
These chemicals attach to opioid receptors in the brain. At low doses, they may act like stimulants, helping with energy and social interaction. At higher doses, they can cause a feeling of euphoria and pain relief similar to traditional opioids like OxyContin or heroin.

Unlike traditional opioids like morphine or heroin, kratom seems to attach to opioid receptors in the brain but not throughout the body.
For example, some studies suggest that 7-OH and mitragynine do not slow down breathing as much as other opioids.

Products sold as kratom now often have high levels of 7-OH.
While kratom leaves naturally have about 2% mitragynine, some new processed products can have up to 98% 7-OH and other unknown substances.

Grundmann said, "In the last two years, what we have seen is the emergence of basically pure 7-OH.
Given the complex nature of kratom leaf material, 7-OH should not be confused with kratom and should not be sold as kratom."

During a press event, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary mentioned research that suggests 7-OH can be 13 times stronger than morphine.


FDA Pushes for Stricter Regulation
In July, the FDA sent a letter to companies warning them not to illegally sell kratom products.
The agency also released a report to help healthcare providers, parents, and schools understand the risks.

Neither kratom nor its main psychoactive compounds are controlled by the government.
Officials from the FDA and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are working to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I drug, which would put it in the same category as drugs like LSD, heroin, and MDMA.